Savannah Slavery, Cotton and Freedom Self Guided Audio Tour

Explore Savannah's rich and complex history with the Savannah Slavery, Cotton & Freedom Walking Tour. This self-guided experience takes you through key sites such as the African-American Monument, the Savannah Cotton Exchange, and the Owens-Thomas House. Learn about the stories of the enslaved people who built this city, their struggles, and the cultural legacy they left behind. Perfect for history enthusiasts and families ready for an honest conversation about the past, this tour allows you to move at your own pace while enjoying professional narration through the app. - Self-guided tour covering 1.5 miles in downtown Savannah - Start at Morrell Park and end at Oglethorpe Square - Pause anytime to explore shops or museums along the way - Ideal for families with older children and history lovers

1. 1

   Haitian Monument

   5 min

   Discover one of the tour's most surprising stories at a monument honoring hundreds of soldiers of African descent who fought in Savannah during the American Revolution. Among them was a young drummer boy whose life would take an extraordinary turn.

2. 2

   The Waving Girl Statue

   10 min

   Begin beside the Savannah River with one of the city's most beloved—and mysterious—local legends. Meet the woman who greeted passing ships for decades and discover why sailors around the world came to know Savannah's famous "Waving Girl."

3. 3

   River Street Market Place

   5 min

   Walk along the waterfront where Savannah's modern shops and restaurants stand on ground once dominated by warehouses, ships, and cotton. Explore the marketplace and discover a much deeper—and darker—history hiding beneath today's River Street.

4. 4

   Stop 4

   10 min

   Pause in the heart of Savannah's revitalized riverfront and discover the man responsible for helping transform this once-neglected industrial area. There's also a fun little surprise waiting in Echo Square.

5. 5

   Stop 5

   Pass by

   This historic riverfront building has witnessed Savannah's cotton boom, the Civil War, and generations of sailors and merchants. Today it's a restaurant—but its past holds stories that go far beyond what's on the menu.

6. 6

   African-American Monument

   5 min

   Stand on one of the most meaningful spots along Savannah's waterfront, where a striking monument tells a story the city waited more than a century to publicly recognize. Look closely at the figures, the broken chains, and the river behind them—the details matter.

7. 7

   Stop 7

   5 min

   Explore mysterious brick vaults built directly into the bluff beneath Savannah. Historians know why they were constructed, but questions remain about what—or who—may once have been held inside.

8. 8

   Johnson Square

   5 min

   Enter Savannah's oldest square and discover Revolutionary War heroes, one of the city's most famous songwriters, and the origins of Savannah's remarkable network of public squares. This is where the tour begins moving from the cotton waterfront into the heart of historic Savannah.

9. 9

   Johnny Mercer Statue

   5 min

   Meet one of Savannah's most famous native sons before discovering another side of the city's reputation. Just steps away is a museum dedicated to an era when Americans were told they couldn't drink—and Savannah wasn't particularly interested in following the rules.

10. 10

    Oglethorpe Square

    10 min

    Enter the final square of the tour, named for Savannah's founder, James Oglethorpe. It's a fitting setting for the final chapter of the journey, where Savannah's extraordinary beauty and complicated history come together.

11. 11

    Owens-thomas House & Slave Quarters

    Pass by

    Finish at one of Savannah's most important historic homes, where the lives of a wealthy family and the people they enslaved existed under the same roof. Its remarkably preserved slave quarters reveal details of everyday life that have disappeared from many other historic homes—and provide a powerful conclusion to the tour.

• Service animals allowed
• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.